The Commonwealth Times; Nov. 14, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2ⁿ place, weekly newspaper of the year — 2018 Pinnacle Awards

COMMONWEALTHTIMES.ORG @theCT

VOL. 60, NO. 13 | NOVEMBER 14, 2018

First female headliner Ella Mai rocks RamFest The 13th annual homecoming concert sold more tickets than last year’s event. Photo by Jon Mirador

Historic concert, victory over Pirates mark homecoming weekend

• “Boo’d Up” singer Ella Mai performs “in the spirit of cuffing season.”

• Men’s Basketball downs Hampton

Sophomore forward Sean Mobley had seven points, three assists and three rebounds Nov. 9 against Hampton. Photo

by Erin Edgerton

NEWS Medicaid 3

SPORTS Recapturing HAVOC

8

SPECTRUM Last Home 12

See RAMFEST on page 11

69-57 in homecoming game.

See BASKETBALL on page 7

Senior Jonathan Brooks won homecoming king. Senior Kyla Garland was named homecoming queen. Photo by Erin Edgerton

OPINIONS Mindfulness 18

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: The largest wildfire in California history “Camp Fire” has killed 48 people as of Tuesday, with more than 200 others reported missing. international: During Paris celebrations on the 100-year anniversary of Armistice Day, President of France Emmanuel Macron condemned Donald Trump’s claims of being a nationalist.

Richmonders responded to the firing of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions with concern that his replacement poses a potential threat to the Russia investigation. Photo by Erin Edgerton

Sessions’ firing stirs protests in Richmond CHIP LAUTERBACH Contributing Writer QUENTIN RICE Contributing Writer A crowd of about 100 protesters gathered Nov. 8 outside the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in Richmond to express their collective discontent with the firing of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

“If you look through history at other countries, when their leaders decide that they can choose their own judges and prosecutors that is a slippery slide to dictatorship,” said protest host and VCU Ph.D. candidate Adam Blakeney. “We have had presidents in the past — [Richard] Nixon comes to mind — that tried to select their own investigators, and look how that turned out.”

Many fear President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Sessions is an attempt to obstruct U.S. Department of Justice Special

Counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, given that Matthew Whitaker — serving as acting U.S. attorney general since Sessions’ resignation — has been openly critical of the investigation. On Aug. 6, 2017, Whitaker wrote an op-ed titled “Mueller’s investigation of Trump is going too far.” Whitaker suggested Mueller may be looking into Trump’s finances that have nothing to do with the 2016 election, and that “Mueller has come up to a red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation that he is dangerously close to crossing.”

In February 2017, Sessions recused himself from Mueller’s Russia investigation.

Sessions’ resignation came at Trump’s request less than 24 hours after the midterm elections. His dismissal triggered protests across the country — demands that Whitaker recuse himself from the investigation as Sessions did to ensure the investigation’s credibility and Mueller’s place as overseer.

Blakeney said it was important that Richmonders showed solidarity with the rest of the protesters around the country.

Protesters carried signs with demands such as “Whitaker must recuse” and statements like “the president is not above the law.” Drivers honked their horns in solidarity as they passed. Throughout the two-hour long event, the crowd’s energy remained high. Protesters also came from neighboring areas, including College of William & Mary law student Megan Tholen.

“This transcends [political parties],” Tholen said. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Republican, independent or Democrat; it is an American issue. If either side tried this, it is a threat to the Constitution — it is a threat to the American people — and we need to make our voices heard.”

Protester Michael Grabow said he hopes both U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi keep up pressure on Whitaker to re-

cuse himself from the Russian investigation.

“I just hope that Mueller’s investigation is unimpeded until completion,” Grabow said.

Patience Armstrong, who led some of the chants at the protest, said she fears the country is becoming an oligarchy.

“We’ve got people who are making millions off of being in government instead of being servants to the nation — which is what we elect them to do,” Armstrong said.

Among local community leaders present was Rabbi Michael Knopf of Temple BethEl who said he wanted to show his support for the Constitution and rule of law.

“We are in a real moment of crisis for our democracy,” Knopf said. “Firing Sessions and replacing him with Whitaker is essentially an attempt by the president to escape the eye — and ramifications — of the law. The American people can not stand idly by while our democracy is ripped away from us.”

Participants, who carried signs and chanted “the president is not above the law,” included local students and religious leaders. Photo by Erin Edgerton

Wed. November 14, 2018 3

Cracks in Medicaid expansion leave some Virginians without care MACY PRESSLEY Contributing Writer

$65,000 MAXIMUM YEARLY INCOME

Many Virginians will remain without access to healthcare in January, despite the General Assembly passing Medicaid expansion in May according to the Virginia Health Care Foundation.

Though the expansion is expected to bring healthcare to 400,000 Virginia residents, the work requirement — currently up for public comment — may present a challenge to residents with poor health or disabilities. Furthermore, the expansion does not address issues some may have with the affordability of transportation, co-pays and prescription drugs.

Altogether, about 323,000 Virginians will still not have health care come January, according to the Virginia Health Care Foundation.

Tracie Deinhardt is a Richmond resident who can’t access healthcare because of financial issues and homelessness.

“It’s not good — because I have cancer in my left knee [the government] won’t give me Medicaid or Medicare,” Deinhardt said.

“It’s like now to even get Medicaid or Medicare you have to be 50 or older, or work up to 20 hours.”

Deinhardt is one of many who will be impacted by the work requirement, which mandates that Medicaid recipients work on community engagement activities for 20 hours a month for the first three months.

While the requirement is not anticipated to take effect until after the expansion period in January, the mandated hours would increase in stages over time. It would eventually reach a maximum of 80 hours a month, according to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Another group who will still lack access to healthcare is immigrants — both docu-

2019 Virginia Medicaid eligibility : family size by yearly income $58,485

$55,000 $45,000

$46,562 $40,600 $34,638

$35,000

$28,677 $16,754

1

2

3

4

5

6

FAMILY SIZE (PERSONS) mented and undocumented — according to Tiffany Green, a VCU professor of health and behavioral studies.

“Legal immigrants cannot access most public benefits for at least five years,” Green said. “So that is going to include Medicaid expansion.”

She also warned of the consequences for not having care.

“Access to healthcare is a really critical thing,” Green said. “It means that we can address issues that arise, like chronic disease issues, before they get worse. Illnesses such as diabetes are particularly important to stay on top of, and so not having access to care means that sometimes you go to medical care [a] little too late.”

Daily Planet Health Services works to address these concerns. The free clinic has treated nearly 38,000 Richmond residents.

For additional family members after 8, maximum yearly income increases by $5,962 each

ELIGIBLE

$22,715

$25,000 $15,000

$52,523

INELIGIBLE

Beth Merchent, the clinic’s CEO, understands how hard it can be for some of their patients to access care.

“If you have poor health, it’s gonna be hard to get a job that pays a fair wage, so you’re not gonna have secure housing, you may not have transportation,” Merchant said. “It’s a whole cycle.”

Advancement Coordinator for Daily Planet Susan Sekerke said she remains confident they will be able to overcome these challenges and continue to provide care.

“We’ll be here for people,” she said. “We are really the one place, regardless of your housing status, your financial situation, or your insurance status [that] you can come and get healthcare services from us when you need it.”

While Gov. Ralph Northam acknowledges the current plan is not perfect, he said

7

8 Source: Cover Virginia Infographic by Ryan Rich

he is proud of the state’s ability to overcome partisan divide and pass a bill for the benefit of Virginians.

“As a doctor and a public servant, I believe making sure all Virginians have the access to the care they need to be healthy and productive is both a moral and economic imperative,” Northam said in a statement June 7. “We can get a lot done if we continue to work together in good faith, with our goal always being to do what’s best for Virginia. We still have important work left to do and I look forward to more big accomplishments that will improve the lives of all Virginians.”

Enrollment for Medicaid began Nov. 1 and will close Dec. 15. To find out more information, visit dmas.virginia.gov.

Journalist panel discusses perception of Muslim-Americans ZACH ARMSTRONG Contributing Writer

Illus

trat

ion

by M

ai - P

huo

ng B

ui

A panel of Muslim journalists visited the University of Richmond Friday to discuss the roles of Muslim writers as a normalizing force in portraying Muslim-Americans as regular citizens, rather than others.

The discussion was sponsored by the Virginia chapter of the nonprofit Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America. The four journalists told stories of their experiences as Muslims growing up in America and how public perception of their demographic can be improved.

Carmel Delshad, an editor and reporter at WAMU 88.5, described stories of students at her middle school giving her the nickname “terrorist” after the 9/11 attacks. One student said “let’s drop bombs on all of them,” in reference to people of Middle Eastern descent. The bullying, Delshad said, made her stop wearing her hijab to school.

The panelists also discussed how news media covers the Muslim community in misleading ways. Buzzfeed reporter

cent increase in Muslim-targeted hate crimes from 2014 to 2016. In January 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order — colloquially known as the “Muslim ban” — barring residents of seven Muslim-majority countries entry to the U.S., as well as limiting the number of accepted refugees to 50,000.

According to recent surveys

by Pew Research Center, half of Americans view Muslims as not being part of “mainstream American society,” and 41 percent said Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence.

The 2018 midterm election showed positive signs for Muslims in the U.S. with the election of the first two Muslim women — Rashida Tlaib, D-MI, and Ilhan Hannah Allam said “there is no so much Omar, D-MN — to Congress. thing as the ‘Muslim community,’” since Omar, a Somali refugee, opened her all Muslims are not one homogeneous Nov. 6 acceptance speech with the Islamgroup. Allam also discussed how she re- ic greeting “Assalamu alaikum,” which frains from writing the words “hijab” and means “peace be upon you.” She also “Allah” in her reporting, saying they come danced to Somali song “Dirgax.” across as “scary words,” and chooses to say According to Allam, many people “head scarf ” and “God” instead. watched Omar’s speech on social media Islamophobia has spiked in recent years. and commented Islamophobic remarks, According to FBI data, there was a 99 per- including “I’ve got some bacon for you,”

mocking the fact that Muslims do not eat pork.

“I think [the election of Omar and Tlaib] inspired the death rattle of white supremacy,” said New York Times contributing writer Wajahat Ali. Ali also added that many Trump supporters are a base who “see Ilhan Omar as a direct threat to their identity.”

Ali said Omar and Tlaib should send a message to constituents that they are public servants first, who simply happen to be Muslim, to create a more positive view of Muslim Americans.

Allam said many people interpreted Omar’s victory as either the end of the world or a wonderful phenomenon. Few online comments on election night were simple congratulations of their victories.

Ali said news media should make people aware that the Muslim experience in the U.S. is not negative — it is one of joy, hope and success. Ali told the story of his uncle, a Middle Eastern immigrant who raised a family in the U.S. and felt he achieved the American dream. But the public perception didn’t change.

“When I turn on the TV,” Ali’s uncle said, “they either see me as a terrorist or a taxi driver.”

4 The Commonwealth Times

Coalition urges RPD, mayor to make policing data public WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU Contributing Writer

However, RPD is demanding a fee of $4,500 to release the data. RPD said the fee is for the labor necAn organization has essary to produce the data. called on citizens to sign a The petition, which TAP petition asking Mayor Leis mobilizing citizens to var Stoney to release policsupport, requests all fees be ing data from the Richmond waived and all the data perPolice Department in an eftaining to policing practices fort to boost police transparbe made public. ency and accountability.

According to Coston, The Richmond TransRPD agreed to release parency and Accountsome data earlier this year. ability Project (TAP) is In February, the departa collaboration between ment released “complaint” the Southerners on New and “use of force” data — Ground, New Virginia which included citizen Majority, Legal Aid Justice complaints about police Center, the Advancement The coalition lobbies for improved access to policing data in order to foster a better relationship between officers and and the frequency of police Project, and concerned cit- the community. CT file photo use of force against civilians, izens attempting to ensure respectively. fair and equitable treatment of the Rich- ton said that TAP’s goal is to “make our “The community has been asking for this The department failed to release all of mond community. communities healthier and safer by trying — and the history dates back about seven the data TAP requested. In response, TAP to disrupt mass incarceration at its source.” years — but there’s been a very strong push filed a Freedom of Information Act request, They added that over-policing is a major is- in the last year or so to get data released which was not approved. sue in a lot of minority communities. about policing practices that are occurring “We believe in the power of storytelling “Essentially, we are trying to stop the here in Richmond,” Coston said. “New Vir- and in the community generating its own We believe in the power policing practices that kind of push peo- ginia Majority did a door-knock campaign data and speaking its own truth,” said Kim ple into the prison pipeline,” Coston said. on the Southside asking residents what prob- Rolla, attorney with the Legal Aid Justice of storytelling and in the “Things like stop and frisk or pedestrian stop, lems they experience in their communities.” Center. “But we also started to think of butcommunity generating traffic stops and examining whether there The door-to-door campaign covered tressing that with some more quantitative its own data and are racial disparities going on in those kinds more than 700 residences — and the ma- data that could tell us what is happening from of things in Richmond.” jority of the responses said the most signif- the police department’s own perspective.” speaking its own truth.”

The data TAP is requesting includes icant problem is negative interactions with Following the FOIA failure, TAP filed Kim Rolla, attorney with the common policing practices such as traffic the police. more requests and made several attempts to Legal Aid Justice Center stops and police contact with pedestrians, TAP members say if they have access to meet with the chief of police and the mayor as well as details of the frequency of those the data, it could be used to boost trans- to resolve the issue — the meetings were VCU sociology professor Liz Coston stops, the demographics of the citizens in- parency and encourage a better relationship ultimately inconclusive. has been working closely with TAP. Cos- volved and the locations where they occur. between community members and police.

Lecturer discusses impact of menthol cigarettes on black community WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU Contributing Writer Companies have intentionally marketed menthol cigarettes to African-American communities for more than 50 years, according to a lecture presented Nov. 5 at the Institute for Contemporary Art. The VCU Psychology Department hosted presenter Phillip Gardiner, program officer of the Tobacco-Related Disease Program at the University of California at Berkeley. Gardiner referred to the marketing techniques as the “African-Americanization of menthol cigarettes.” Such tactics, Gardiner said, included predatory marketing strategies in which brands used the African-American identity as a selling point for menthol cigarettes.

The issue is especially pertinent in Richmond, given the large number of smokers and prominent black population.

“Unfortunately, we have a lot of smokers in the Richmond community. We have a lot of African-American smokers,” said Thomas Eissenberg, VCU psychology professor and Center for the Study of Tobacco Products project and core director. “Probably 80 to 90 percent of them smoke menthol cigarettes.”

Menthol cigarettes are easier to inhale and therefore more dependence-inducing and harder to quit, Gardiner said.

In his lecture, Gardiner pointed out that menthol is the only cigarette flavor allowed in the U.S. The user demographic for menthol cigarettes is largely — but not limited to — people of color.

The possibility of banning menthol in the near future is “wishful thinking,” given the power of the tobacco industry, Gardiner said, but momentum against the issue could start with youth education against smoking.

“It should start locally,” Gardiner said.

“Given that we have less control over politicians in Washington than we do in our own localities, it should start from there.”

Yolanda Hall, prevention coordinator with Henrico County Mental Health, attended the lecture and said it is important to take steps toward countering the use of tobacco products in young children. One way to do this is to prepare them for peer pressure and anything that might push them towards smoking.

“There are many organizations around providing platforms for young kids,” Hall said. “If we could bring all those different groups together and unite them around this one cause, it could make a big difference.”

Phillip Gardiner said cigarettes containing menthol, the only legal cigarette flavor in the U.S., are more likely to lead to dependence. Photo by Jon Mirador

Wed. November 14, 2018 5

Volunteer organizations lead training seminar on helping refugees Distribution of 2016 refugee resettlement across Virginia regions

think about that person? All these qualities in one person: will you be a friend to them?

Will you hire them?”

“This is why we’re here,” one attendee replied. “Because we all have something to give to that one person.”

NOTHERN VIRGINIA Khairi revealed she was that person.

5% Though Richmond doesn’t compare to RICHMOND larger cities like Boston and New York in 8% terms of having a historic immigrant popNEWPORT NEWS ulation, a number of organizations work to 10% help refugees who have recently arrived to HARRISONBURG the area. The seminar, held last Saturday 43% by three local refugee aid organizations, CHARLOTTESVILLE included English-as-a-second-language 10% ROANOKE lectures and discussions on working with refugee communities and services for immiFREDERICKSBURG gration and resettlement. Many attendees 11% were volunteers already working with one Total number of 13% of the host organizations. refugees resettled The nonprofit ReEstablish Richmond, in Virginia in one of the groups that hosted the training, 2016: 3,414 focuses on transitioning, empowering and connecting refugees to resources. Executive Director Kate Ayers said Richmond’s refugees are mostly from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Source: The Virginia Department of Social Services Myanmar, Iraq and the Democratic RepubInfographic by Mai-Phuong Bui lic of Congo.

RACHEL RICHARDSON from a basket.

Immigration and refugees have been Contributing Writer “This person cannot make eye contact,” controversial topics since the inception of one statement read. “This person walks five President Donald Trump’s 2017 travel ban At a training seminar to teach volunteers miles a day,” read another. “This person is on a number of Muslim-majority countries. how to work with refugees, Elham Khairi, known as a troublemaker.”

The president has continued to reduce the who spoke about cultural awareness, asked “What if all those sentences [are] all in number of refugees allowed into the U.S. attendees to read phrases on slips of paper one person?” Khairi said. “What do you every year, with plans to cap the number at

30,000 in 2019.

“The community impacted the most is our Syrian families,” Ayers said. “There were probably seven or eight families in Richmond before the ban came down …[now] they’re seeing and hearing about their family members in danger.”

Ayers said ReEstablish Richmond has several volunteer teams who help people look for employment, buy homes and study for the citizenship test.

“One person we have is from Pakistan,” said volunteer Ed Meyer, who meets with the Pakistani refugee every week. “As soon as he gets all of his paperwork he’s going to be working seven days a week.”

Meyer said he has only been volunteering at the International Rescue Committee — another organization that helped host the training — as a mentor and driver for a few weeks, but said IRC’s work is “tremendous” and he plans to teach ESL in the future.

“I’ve been a volunteer for almost two and a half years,” said Cary Hintz, an ESL teacher with Church World Service — the training’s third host group. “I go into people’s homes. When people first come, they don’t have cars, they can’t get to those classes, so we go in their homes and teach them.”

Hintz described the work as rewarding, but challenging.

“It’s hard, it’s heartbreaking because of their stories,” Hintz said. “You cry with them.”

“I want to see my family”: Yemeni student impacted by conflict overseas ASHLEIGH CHRISTOPHER Contributing Writer The war in Yemen has created a historic humanitarian crisis, uprooting the lives of millions of Yemeni people, including 20-year-old VCU student Asma Raseem who is stuck in the U.S. after her program refused to send her back to the war-stricken country.

Raseem came to the U.S. from Yemen in 2014 with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. She was supposed to return to Yemen after completing her senior year at a university in Colorado, but had to stay in the United States after war broke out in her country in March 2015.

“My program had never had this happen before,” Raseem said. “They’re always able to send students back. So this was a unique situation where they didn’t know what to do. At first they told me I would be staying for one more semester until things calmed down, and then they would send me back.”

Because she was not able to return to Yemen, the YES program had Raseem repeat her senior year.

“Everyone graduated and I just had to do it again,” Raseem said. “And I had to explain to everyone why I was there again after I was supposed to have graduated.

Then, I kind of got used to it, and I tried to make the best of it.”

She remained in Colorado for two years. Then, her program — along with the Community College Initiative Program — placed her at Northern Virginia Com-

munity College. Since then, she transferred to VCU, has been living in Virginia for three years and is in her fifth year as a student in the U.S. However, after Raseem’s third year in the U.S., the academic program told her it could no longer give her money to live here.

“I had to pay for everything myself,” she said. “After my third year, I had no place to stay, and I couldn’t afford to live by myself, so thankfully my social host family took me in for a year and a half.”

Although Raseem said she has adjusted to life at VCU, she said she still misses her family.

“The hardest part now is definitely my family, and the fact that I haven’t seen them for four years,” Raseem said. “As years go by, I think it gets harder because everyone is growing up. My younger siblings are growing up, my parents are getting old. I have a niece that Photo courtesy of Asma Raseem I don’t know.”

Raseem left behind her parents, four sis- heavy bombing from the Saudi coalition. ters and one brother in Yemen — as well as The movement has made it much more her entire extended family. difficult for Raseem to contact her family Four months ago, her family had to leave regularly. But she has been able to commutheir city of Al Hudaydah because of the nicate with her family occasionally when

they have electricity, and she has to pay for the calls, Raseem said.

As an international studies major with a focus on international justice, she said she wants to work with nonprofits to help countries impacted by war, starting with Yemen.

“I always get the question of, ‘Do you want to go back?’” Raseem said. “I’m in the middle of my studies and the only reason my family is taking all of this is because it contributes to me having a better future. In Yemen, I won’t really have any future. I want to see my family, and I really don’t know when I’m going to see them, but it is what it is.”

Raseem said she wants to educate people in the U.S. about the conflicts in Yemen.

“I always feel sad that people don’t know about the war in my country, but I take it upon myself to educate people,” she said. “I try to stay positive because I know I’m not the only person in this situation. There are so many people that aren’t able to go to their countries, but I’ve been so lucky to find a good support system.”

6 The Commonwealth Times

ADVERTISEMENT

Wondering how you're going to get home for Thanksgiving Break?

RamAway provides free transportation during most University holidays and semester breaks to and/or from the Richmond International Airport, Greyhound Bus Station and Amtrak at Main Street Station and Staples Mill Road.

To reserve a seat: 1. Select the day of your departure after signing in with your eID and password.

2. Required information: Name, cell phone number, VCU email address.

3. Select appropriate shuttle time (suggested 2 hours prior to departure).

4. You will receive a confirmation email at your VCU email address.

5. You MUST present your VCUCard and confirmation email to board the shuttle.

For more information visit: go.vcu.edu/ramaway

Wed. November 14, 2018 7

Stat of the week

Indianapolis Colts tight end and former VCU forward Mo Alie-Cox scored his second career touchdown Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

BASKETBALL

Rams force 44 combined turnovers, improve to 3-0 NOAH FLEISCHMAN Staff Writer ADAM CHEEK Staff Writer Men’s Basketball improved to 3-0 with a pair of comfortable, double-digit wins.

The Black and Gold defeated Bowling Green 72-61 and Hampton 69-57. VCU forced a combined 44 turnovers in the matchups. Recovering from an Achilles injury, redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans played in both games, scoring 13 against HU and 12 versus BGU, but has yet to start.

played at VCU from 20052009 and was drafted 20th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2009 NBA Draft.

HAMPTON

The Rams lit up the Hampton Pirates for 35 first-half points, eventually taking home a 69-57 win in front of the 119th consecutive sellout crowd at the Siegel Center Nov. 9. The packed Stu watched as VCU forced 17 turnovers, limited the Pirates to 29 percent shooting and improved to 2-0.

The Rams’ sophomore forward Marcus Santos-Silva racked up a career-best 16 points along with 4 rebounds, BOWLING GREEN 1 block and 1 steal. Redshirt As the story has gone many junior guard Marcus Evans times before, Men’s Basketball added 13 points of his own. earned a win almost entirely Evans grabbed 5 rebounds, off the strength of its robust recorded 3 assists and 2 steals. defense. The Rams forced a Seven Rams scored 5 or more season-high 27 turnovers and points on the night. Redscored 30 points off of miscues shirt-junior forward Issac Vann

by Bowling Green en route to contributed 7 points in addia 72-61 win. tion to four rebounds, three “Your defense gets better assists and four steals. when the players see it work“[Our depth] is big this year,” ing in games,” said coach Evans said after the game.

Mike Rhoades after the game.

“Last year we had injuries that “When the coaches are yelling hurt us and it was a new roster and demanding so much from with a new coach. This year we them in practice, you know have what we call a whole army. they are true believers when it We can go deep on our bench, carries over into games and is especially the way we play with working … it makes them look pressure and keep the pressure good.” up all game.”

The Black and Gold’s 27 After the Pirates scored first, forced turnovers was the most VCU went on a 14-4 run, exthe team has procured since it tending its lead to 22-8 as the forced 31 against Buffalo in clock wound down. After a 2015. The Rams made much of Hampton 3-pointer, the Rams the 15 errors they forced out went on another run, this time of Bowling Green in the first scoring 13 to Hampton’s three.

Redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans has recorded 40 minutes this season after returning from an Achilles half, as they scored 15 points The Black and Gold took their injury he suffered over the summer. Photo by Erin Edgerton off turnovers in the first 20 20-point lead into halftime. minutes of play.

A brief rally from the Pi“Late in the first half we heard the crowd Redshirt-sophomore forward Corey to score more than 57 points against the rates highlighted the beginning of the final it was just like an extra boost,” junior guard Douglas had one of his four blocks down Rams. This was the third game that the Rams half, but redshirt-sophomore forward Corey De’Riante Jenkins said. “We kind of seen it the stretch as he denied a Falcon inside the held their opponent to 61 points or less — a Douglas kicked off a seven-point run by the in them that they didn’t want to play then, paint with about six minutes left. Douglas mark they only reached twice last season.

Rams with a layup. The momentum shifted so we just put it away from there.” finished the night with seven points and back and forth as Hampton went on a 5-0 Freshman forward Vince Williams add- nine rebounds. run and VCU answered with a 7-0 burst. ed three points to the run that the Rams “The last two games we kind of relaxed The Pirates eventually rallied to cut the went on at the end of the half. He finished a little bit [in the second half ],” Douglas lead to seven, but Evans knocked down the game tied for the team high with 12 said of the Rams’ second-half defense the three and Santos-Silva slammed in a dunk, This year we have what points and three rebounds. Williams shot last two games. “The main focus today was extending the lead to 12. we call a whole army. We 6-7 from the free-throw line. if we get up we’ve got to put our foot on The Rams shot 42.6 from the field, net“Pound for pound, he is one of the best their necks.” can go deep on our bench, ted 18 points off turnovers and scored nearplayers on the team,” Rhoades said of WilVCU shot 8-29 beyond the arc — half their points in the paint. especially the way we play ly “[Defense] liams. “He does some things that veterans Rhoades thought there could be improveis what we did all summer,” with pressure and keep the said sophomore forward Sean Mobley. do, he’s got a really good feel [for the game].” ment in that category.

Redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans — “We need to shoot the ball better from “That’s all [assistant coach Jamal Brunt] empressure up all game.” who recently recovered from an Achilles three,” Rhoades said. “I think we’ve got to phasized because defense leads to offense.”

Marcus Evans, redshirt-junior guard injury — turned the volume level up in the get our teammates better shots from three.

VCU will take on Temple Nov. 19, with Siegel Center in the second half as he hit a We’re not making enough threes, if you’re tip-off foron 9:30 p.m. The will face VCU willset take Temple Nov.Rams 19, with long three while being fouled. He went on shooting 29 threes, you’ve got to make more VCU Athletics announced in a sec- the Owls at 9:30 the Barclays Center New tip-off set for p.m. The Rams willinface the to hit the free throw to complete the four- than eight.” ond-half media timeout that former Rams York theBarclays Legends Classic and York will play Owls for at the Center in New for point play. He finished the night with 12 VCU has allowed an average of 58.3 guard Eric Maynor made a generous dona- the winner of California St.the John’s the the Legends Classic and willvs.play winner points, three assists and five steals. points a game and the Falcons were the first tion to the athletics department. Maynor following day. of California vs. St. John’s the following day.

8 The Commonwealth Times

Tuzzolo’s 17 kills lead Rams to regular season title

Junior outside hitter Vicky Giommarini (14) had four kills against Davidson Nov. 10.

Photo by Jon Mirador NOAH FLEISCHMAN Staff Writer Volleyball finished the regular season on a high note as it took down Davidson 3-0 Saturday afternoon at the Siegel Center.

On the Rams’ senior day, the seven juniors got the job done as they combined for 26 kills, 30 assists and four service aces. Junior opposite hitter Gina Tuzzolo led VCU with a season-high 17 kills in the win.

“She’s been the unsung hero all season,” coach Jody Rogers said of Tuzzolo. “She just does her job day-in, day-out and I couldn’t be happier for her. This is nothing new with her, she does a lot of great things on the court and the girls rally around her. She’s an integral part to our roster.”

VCU came off its first Atlantic 10 loss of the season, falling 3-0 to George Mason Nov. 3.

“We needed that [loss]. We needed to get our feelings hurt a little bit,”

Rogers said. “We came back and we really worked hard this past week in practice. We re-evaluated what we needed to work on as a unit, so they came out really strong today.”

The Rams opened the first set with five consecutive points, including three aces in a row from sophomore outside hitter Paula Neciporuka. VCU strung together another five points in the set to pull away from the Wildcats. The Rams took the first set 25-16.

Neciporuka finished with three kills, one assist and three service aces.

Davidson came out firing in the second set as it took an early 3-1 lead on the Rams.

VCU answered the Wildcats’ strong start by scoring five points in a row with two aces from junior outside hitter Vicky Giommarini.

The Wildcats looked like they would claw their way back into the set as they got within two points, but the Rams responded.

VCU took another five points from Davidson to go up six in the set. The Black and Gold took the set 25-18 to go up 2-0 in the match.

VCU trailed by as many as five points in the final set, but the Rams used a mid-set surge to win 25-20.

Senior middle blocker Tori Baldwin finished with four kills and four blocks in the win.

“It was great, Davidson’s a good team,” Baldwin said. “I know we had to win this game and beat this team to be regular season champs, so to win here against a good team is fun.”

Junior middle blocker Jasmin Sneed added eight more blocks to her season total — she now has 163 blocks this season and 489 in her career.

The victory clinched the regular season A-10 title for the Rams after they finished the campaign with a conference record of 13-1.

“They wanted some energy and to come out really strong before the end of the season, just because we are going to have to start preparing for the Atlantic-10 [Tournament],” Rogers said. “They really wanted this. We got the Atlantic-10 regular season championship, so that was a huge goal for us throughout the season. When you attain goals you kind of get excited, they did that today.

The Rams will be back in action Saturday at 1 p.m. in the A-10 Tournament at the Siegel Center against the winner of No. 4 George Mason vs. No. 5 St. Louis match.

Press Box: “Fight like crazy” — VCU’s struggle to recapture HAVOC ZACH JOACHIM Executive Editor SEVENTH? EIGHTH? … NINTH?!

Blasphemy, I tell you.

Ram Nation was collectively dumbstruck when this year’s preseason polls placed us near the bottom half of the Atlantic 10.

Last season, Men’s Basketball missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 and failed to win at least 20 games, a feat VCU had accomplished every season since 2005-06. Despite the anticipated fallout, nobody thought expectations would be this low.

The conference poll, chosen by a panel of the league’s head coaches and select media members, picked us to finish seventh. NBC Sports has us at eighth. A10Talk had the audacity to rank us NINTH. Not today, Satan.

Alright, fine, we get it. We took a huge step back in coach Mike Rhoades’ first year at the helm on Broad Street. After finishing 9-9 in conference, good for eighth place, and bowing out in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament, the skepticism surrounding the probability of a bounceback campaign is understandable.

But it grossly undersells the pedigree of this program. We’re not your average mid-major. We will get up off the mat, fists raised, guns blazing, with hellfire in our eyes. We’re gonna fight like crazy, damnit.

Right, coach Rhoades?

“At VCU we’re not making excuses …

You fight for your culture. You fight for your approach. You fight for the attitude you want in your players,” Rhoades said. “We could sit here and talk about the things that occured [last season], but that isn’t gonna help us.” … what he said. Nobody is feeling sorry for us — frankly, it seems the rest of the A-10 is quite amused that we’ve finally been knocked off our 2011 Final Four highhorse. But we need to acknowledge what Rhoades is trying to impress on his players, that to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, we’ve got to earn it every day. We’ve got to fight like crazy.

Illustration by Nan He

We don’t just put on a VCU shirt or jersey and two-step our way into the Big Dance. We can’t just yell “HAVOC” and chant “You don’t wanna go to war with the Rams” and produce the most electric environment in college basketball.

We used to have a chip on our shoulder.

Somewhere in those seven-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, we lost our tenacity and desperation among the shiny new buildings and banners. We started to take the success of this program for granted. We needed last season to make us remember who we are.

“People can say it was a punch in the face, and I’m not happy that we had a tough year last year, but man I’m glad it happened for all of us,” Rhoades said. “Be-

cause nothing is guaranteed, we don’t have a right to be in the NCAA Tournament, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. You’ve gotta fight and earn that every day, and that ’s the lesson we’ve got to teach our guys.”

The talent is there, we’ve just got to recapture our infamous attitude. Where are the Broad Street Bullies we know and love?

The days of HAVOC are long gone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be a bunch of feisty MF-ers on the hardwood. Even those outside the program know this is the key to VCU’s hopes of returning to the promised land.

“VCU has more questions than answers at this point, but when healthy, the 3 player core of Marcus Evans, De’Riante Jenkins,

and Issac Vann could be the best in the league,” A10Talk’s Grant Labedz wrote in the website’s preseason rankings.

“VCU’s success will ultimately come down to defense. Last year was one of the first in a long time where the Rams diverged significantly from their feisty, lockdown ways on that end of the floor. This year will need to be different. Long are we from the Havoc days of Briante Weber and co., but that doesn’t mean this Rams team can’t get stops and use that momentum to create offense.”

Granted, redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans needs to fully recover from his Achilles injury. He hasn’t started the first two games, but he played in both. When healthy, Evans — who averaged 20.1 points and 3.3 steals per game under Rhoades at Rice and was named to the All-Conference USA First Team his freshman and sophomore years — could be the best player in the A-10.

Junior guard Jenkins needs to take on more scoring and leadership responsibility.

Redshirt-junior wing Vann needs to stay healthy and consistently display the dynamic presence he flashed last year on both ends of the floor. Sophomore forward Sean Mobley has got to be the top-tier facilitator and jump shooter we all know he can be. Sophomore forward Marcus Santos-Silva had better be taking some names down low. It’d be really nice if redshirt-senior forward Michael Gilmore can finally realize his immense potential.

These are all keys to VCU’s success this year. But they cannot culminate to lead us back to the promised land without one key ingredient — we’ve got to fight like crazy, a la Briante Weber in the opposing team’s backcourt.

“I didn’t complain, I knew what I took over,” Rhoades said. “It wasn’t the VCU basketball program, it wasn’t the same one, it was a skeleton. But you know what, what were we gonna do? Were we gonna complain and cry about it? No way man, no way. We get to wake up every day and be VCU basketball players and coaches — fight like crazy.”

Wed. November 14, 2018 9

Ram in Action: Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi NOAH FLEISCHMAN Staff Writer

What is your favorite thing to do around campus?

Sophomore guard Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi walked onto the Men’s Basketball team last season as a freshman with little interest from any other college basketball programs. He appeared in four games with the Black and Gold last season, logging four minutes, and had three assists and a steal.

This season, Sheehy-Guiseppi played four minutes in the exhibition game against UVA-Wise on Oct. 30, he recorded a layup in the final minute of action against the Cavaliers.

I don’t leave my room much. I go to my classes, my room, and the gym. My favorite place to eat is The Village Cafe.

The Village is a go to, the buttermilk pancakes, very good. I would recommend it to anybody honestly.

What do you want the fans to know about you?

I wish there was unlimited words that I could say, but there’s not. If I could only pick one word it would be SYWK: Soon You Will Know.

Why VCU?

What’s the story behind your nickname, Yay-yay?

I picked VCU because I really liked the history of the program. They were one of the few schools to offer me a spot to play as a walk-on and give me a chance. I was really all for that, to have a chance be able to play [collegiately], and a chance to be a part of something that’s much bigger than myself. VCU has had 16 NCAA appearances, which is very good. I was grateful to get the opportunity and as soon as they gave me the opportunity, I took it.

What was the walk-on process like?

I was at a prep school in Vegas and I was emailing a bunch of schools and [VCU] got back to me, [but] not right away. When [VCU] did get back to me, they kept giving me more and more interest and when they offered me a walk-on spot, I took it immediately as soon as they offered it.

You played four minutes and scored two points in the exhibition game against UVAWise on Oct. 30, what was it like hearing the crowd’s reaction to your bucket?

In the moment, you don’t really think about it because you’re just in the game, so I didn’t really get to hear all that. Afterwards, you realize ‘Oh that’s pretty nice,’ it feels good, but then you want more.

What has it been like to be on a Division I Basketball team like VCU?

Growing up people used to call me yeah-yeah from The Sandlot, so that’s where it’s from. I always talked a lot, so they would say ‘yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah.’ I love The Sandlot, [my] favorite movie.

What are your goals for this season?

Sophomore guard Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi logged four minutes and two points during the UVA-Wise exhibition. Photo by Jon Mirador It’s nice, really nice. They take care of you, the fans are great, the atmosphere is great. We are treated like rock stars or celebrities. It’s very nice. [The best feeling that I can relate it to is] getting a dub in Fortnite.

When you get a dub in Fortnite, you’re like ‘Wow, this is nice,’ but you want more. It’s like that. It’s like when you get a dub in Fortnite, that’s what it’s like to be playing for VCU. It’s just a great feeling.

Is Fortnite something that the entire team plays?

Oh for sure. We all play Fortnite on the team, I stopped playing, I retired from Fortnite and retired No. 1, that’s all I’m going to say. I retired because I have been studying really hard and I haven’t played in about two months. I got to make sure I get good grades.

How many Fortnite wins did you have?

I honestly don’t know, but I have a good amount, upwards in the 50’s.

So if you are the No. 1 Fortnite player on the team, who is the worst?

I have to give it to [sophomore forward] Marcus Santos-Silva because he’s trash. He’s not very good [because] he always tries to rush people, never communicates with his teammates, it’s ridiculous.

My strategy is work with my team, I’m a team player. I’m for the team, if my team says relax, I’m going to relax, if we’re going to rush the people [then] we’re going to rush. [It is similar to basketball because] I’m for the team and whatever the team needs, I’m going to be there for them.

Whatever we can do to win. I just want to win and if that means I play, I play, but if that means I don’t play then I don’t play.

Whatever I can do to help the team. I just want us to win a lot of games. I want us to get to the NCAA tournament and make a deep run. That would be the dream goal.

I don’t care if I play at all, I just want to win games.

This season the team plays Texas and Virginia on the road, what do you think that is going to be like?

I think it’s going to be a very intense atmosphere, but I think this year we are going to be ready. We just have to execute, stick to whatever coach says our game plan is and play within ourselves.

Don’t let the outside noise get to you because at the end of the day you still have to step on the court, they still have to step on the court, and we still have to play basketball. It doesn’t matter what [other] people say.

Atlantic 10 Volleyball Chamionship preview NOAH FLEISCHMAN Staff Writer VCU will host the Atlantic 10 Volleyball Championship at the Siegel Center Nov. 16-18 as the Rams look to defend last year’s conference title.

The Black and Gold took the crown last season, knocking off Dayton in five sets in the championship match, 3-2.

The Rams enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed after clinching the regular season A-10 title with a 3-0 victory over Davidson Nov. 10.

VCU’s defense has been a key factor in its run this season, as the team combined for 283 blocks. Senior middle blocker Tori Baldwin wrote her name in the Rams’ record books, as she became VCU’s all-time leader in blocks. Baldwin is the first Ram to eclipse 500 career blocks — she has 507 heading into the A-10 Tournament.

“That was crazy [to eclipse 500 blocks], honestly I don’t know how to describe it,” Baldwin said. “I’m lucky that I was able to do that and I thank everyone who pushed me to be better.”

Junior middle blocker Jasmin Sneed ranks third in the NCAA with 1.65 blocks

per set. This season, Sneed has logged 163 blocks. As a team, the Rams are seventh in the NCAA at 2.88 blocks per set.

Junior opposite hitter Vicky Giommarini has been a dominant offensive force, recording 273 kills this season, an average of 2.81 a set. She ranks 41st in the NCAA with an average of .41 aces per set.

“I’m looking forward for the girls to really be focused in on the first match and then for the second,” coach Jody Rogers said. “We don’t want to be looking for the championship yet. We want to play each game and work hard for winning another championship or at least contending for one. We really want to be in the championship match.”

The biggest competition for the Rams in the tournament will be No. 2 seed Dayton.

VCU knocked off the Flyers twice this season, 3-1 on the road Sept. 30 and 3-2 at the Stu Oct. 26.

Dayton won three A-10 tournaments in a row until the Black and Gold defeated the Flyers last season in Pittsburgh. Overall, Dayton has won 11 of the last 15 A-10 tournament titles.

This is the first time the Siegel Center

will host the A-10 Volleyball Championship — and the team hopes for a raucous atmosphere.

“It’s going to be hype,” Baldwin said.

“I’m so excited, we are trying to bring everyone out. The fact that we get to fight for

a ring here, that’s amazing. Let’s hope we win double time.”

The Rams will face the winner of No. 4 George Mason vs. No. 5 St. Louis in the semifinal Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

No. 1 VCU will host the Atlantic 10 semifinals Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Photo by Jon Mirador

10 The Commonwealth Times

Women’s Basketball opens season 2-0 DANIEL PURYEAR Contributing Writer Women’s Basketball opened its season at home with the second-most attended game in program history at nearly 3,800 fans.

Teachers, students and fans who made it to the Siegel Center during Education Day witnessed a 84-55 victory over the Longwood Lancers.

LONGWOOD High schools, middle schools and specialty schools came out Nov. 9 and made it one of the loudest games in Women’s Basketball history.

The Rams hosted the Lancers’ first game of the season. Longwood recently hired Rebecca Tillett as its coach. Since 2014, Tillett coached at the U.S. Naval Academy and led the Midshipmen to back-to-back 20-plus win seasons.

The Lancers scored the first points of the game, but the Rams did not let them see the lead for the rest of the contest. After an 11-1 run, the Black and Gold dominated the Lancers all the way to a 40 -16 lead.

Longwood did not come within 20 points of VCU for the remainder of the game.

Sophomore guard and New Zealand native Tera Reed put up 15 points and four rebounds with sophomore forward Sydnei Archie following close behind at 13 points and five rebounds.

Redshirt-freshman Madison Hattix-Covington from Killeen, Texas secured 13 rebounds and scored six points.

Women’s Basketball coach Beth O’Boyle opened her post-game press conference giving credit to the fans and students who

came to the game even if there was “too much energy” at times. O’Boyle also touted her team’s ball movement.

The Rams displayed depth in the contest, with every player on the team scoring.

“It’s one of the things going from last year to this year — experience out on the floor — and the competition we have in practice really makes a big difference,” O’Boyle said.

Reed and Hattix-Covington attributed the performance to team chemistry and communication. Reed said they are trying to learn from the previous season.

“This year, we’re all family, we all have the same goal,” Reed said. “We’ve got to tell each other what we need to work on and just get to it.”

Current senior, Bianca Boggs led the Williamsburg side with 15 points and five steals.

The Rams head to an away game against UNC-Chapel Hill with a 2-0 record. After playing the ACC team Nov. 14, the Rams host another ACC team, Wake Forest, at home Nov. 18.

WILLIAM & MARY Starting their season in Williamsburg at William & Mary Nov. 6, the Rams made easy work of the Tribe with a 72-55 win.

Archie tallied a career-high 15 points by shooting a perfect 7-7 in the paint.

Sophomore guards Taya Robinson and Reed both scored 11 points and combined for nine rebounds. VCU shot 49 percent from the field and 86.4 percent from the line.

The Black and Gold dominated the entire game after giving up the first basket.

Rebounding and sound shooting kept VCU ahead by at least three the whole contest.

Sophomore center Sofya Pashigoreva managed three offensive rebounds along with nine points.

William & Mary comes off a 16-14 2017-18 season. The Tribe also lost two seniors, Abby Rendle and Jenna Green.

Junior center Danielle Hammond started 16 games during her sophomore season.

Photo by Teresa Bricker

ADVERTISEMENT

Wed. November 14, 2018 11

On this day

Puerto Rico voted against becoming the 51st US state on Nov. 14, 1993.

RAMFEST

RamFest 2018 features first female headliner, outsells last year’s concert WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU Contributing Writer Concert-goers began trickling into the Richmond Coliseum at about 6 p.m. Saturday for VCU’s 13th annual RamFest concert — the culmination of a week of homecoming activities — featuring Young Crazy, Isaiah Johnson, A-Game, Saweetie and the first female headliner in the concert’s history, Ella Mai. Organized by the Activities Programming Board, the event kicked off with a 20-minute set by Isaiah Johnson. The Richmond native’s versatile performance included a combination of dramatic, mellow and energetic songs, most of which had a political twist.

Following Johnson was DJ Camo, whose eclectic mix of songs punctuated the night and kept the crowd hyped.

Up next was rapper A-Game, aka Anthony Ellis, whose fresh sound featured a narrative style of rapping. His set also included some crowd interaction, and mini performances by fellow St. Louis rapper MC Tres and a taste of his new single “Cross the River,” featuring rapper Real Early.

“This is a high energy school, a lot of good people here,” Ellis said. “Throughout our performance we just wanted to inspire people to have a good time, be who you are and hustle for whatever it is you’re going after.”

Norfolk rapper Young Crazy took the stage next and was no stranger to Richmond, referring to the city as his “second home.” His explosive performance and hyper-confident nature was all too familiar as he worked the crowd like a pro. Starting his career at Virginia State University where he attended school, Young Crazy has since toured nationally with some well-established artists.

The first heavyweight performance was Diamonté Harper, better known by her stage name Saweetie. Along with her dance crew — which one concertgoer called the “icy mob” — they came out to a roaring crowd of eager fans.

Performing songs like “23” and “Good Good,” her set closed out with the 2017 breakout hit “ICY GRL,” an ode to positivity and self-motivation. Saweetie was one of two female acts at RamFest, a first in the event’s history.

“Being here with Ella Mai is amazing because I feel like she has a long and promising career. She is extremely talented,” Harper said. “It was such an honor to open up before her and it makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing because she’s hot, and I’m hot right next to her.”

She also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to perform at RamFest.

As a recent college graduate herself, she could relate to the excitement surrounding homecoming.

“I’d like to come back. Richmond is a city that’s full of love and that’s really rare. I like the energy out here,” Harper said. “I’m just really happy to be a part of this homecoming.”

The event headliner Ella Mai took to the stage just past 9 p.m. She was met with screams from the crowd who had been waiting all night for her.

Performing for just over an hour, Mai belted out numerous songs including “Don’t Want You,” “Makes Me Wonder,” “Breakfast in Bed” and, of course, the international hit, “Boo’d Up.” She prefaced the popular track by saying she just found out that Virginia is for lovers, and “in the spirit of cuffing season, this one is for all the lovers out there.” She closed her set with “Trip” off her debut album “Ella Mai.” Mai is the first female artist to headline RamFest. Past headliners include Tory Lanez, Travis Scott and Drake.

“It’s taken a long time for us to have a female headliner, it’s not like female musicians are a new concept. There’s no shortage of them,” said Mikaela Murdock, APB communications coordinator. “In the future we’re going to continue trying to be as inclusive as possible with our shows.”

There was a bit of negativity surrounding the RamFest lineup earlier this year, as some students wanted the event to be headlined by a rapper instead of a singer. This sentiment similarly surrounded last year’s RamFest.

“People weren’t too happy when we had Tory Lanez last year because he was more of a singer and not so much a rapper,” Murdock said.

But APB sold more than 2,000 tickets for the event, more than they sold for RamFest last year.

“We did a good job of appealing to people with different tastes,” Murdock said. “Ideally, we’re always trying to find as many way to appeal to the student body as possible.”

Top: English singer Ella Mai is the first female to headline RamFest in the concert’s history.

Above: Saweetie’s debut album “High Maintenance” was released earlier this year. She closed out her set with the breakout hit “ICY GRL.” Left: MC Tres joined rapper A-Game on stage. The St. Louis natives opened for the other headliners. Photos by Jon Mirador

12 The Commonwealth Times

Last Home :

Student gallery explores familial link to Jewish history

The site of Alper’s grandmother’s last apartment in Magdeburg, Germany is now home to a McDonald’s, which Alper sat in and ate fries. Photo by Raelyn Fines ANDREW RINGLE Contributing Writer

N

early 80 years after the Holocaust, surviving stories have started to fade into history. Marissa Alper intended to preserve those testaments by following the footsteps of her Jewish ancestors and photographing the landscapes they once called home. In “Last Home,” her most recent show at the Anderson gallery, Alper uses abstract photography to explore familial intimacy, friendships and personal relationships.

“It got me talking to my grandmother,” Alper said. “I had known that she was a Holocaust survivor, but I’m just now old enough to fully understand the gravity of that. I became interested in her story and I made some work about her experience.”

Alper studies photography at VCU, and she enjoys using film to tell stories. Over the summer, Alper visited Berlin, Germany, with the photography department. Hoping to explore the country of her Jewish ancestors, she enrolled promptly.

“It was perfect because it was a photo study abroad program and also my family immigrated from Berlin and around that area,” Alper said. “I wasn’t really sure what I was going to make there, so I started visiting the locations that related to my family’s past. It’s really hard to track where everybody is and where everybody is from, but I did as much as I could.”

I tried to make ‘Last Home’ something that didn’t just spoon-feed information. If you really wanted to understand, you’d have to walk around, think and look at the plaques. It was more of a connect-thedots, so that even if your family didn’t have ties to the Holocaust you could relate to it in some way.”

Marissa Alper, artist

Alper found the site of her grandmother’s last apartment in Magdeburg, Germany. A McDonald’s now stands in its place. She also found the home of her great-great-grandparents, which was the last place they called home before their records disappeared. Alper believes they were likely sent to a concentration camp, lost among the millions who met the same fate during World War II. “I started by just visiting and sitting in those locations,” Alper said. “I realized that there were so many unexplainable feelings that I felt, which I couldn’t really grasp at all … I still cannot fully grasp them. So that’s what I started making work about.”

To guide her exploration of Germany, Alper searched for her family members’ Stolperstein, small concrete bricks adorned with brass plaques which commemorate the victims of Nazi persecution. The Stolperstein project, which began in 1992, marks the last homes of over 70,000 people.

Alper’s great-great-grandparents have a Stolperstein marking their last home. Aside from the plaque, the landscape was mostly barren — but on her grandmother’s former homesite, golden arches stand as the only monument in sight.

“It’s confusing,” Alper said. “I’m angry, but I bet you every McDonald’s is built on top of something really intense. So it’s just a strange feeling, and it’s really indescribable. It’s a McDonald’s and it’s also my grandmother’s last home, but it’s really hard to merge the two.”

Alper visited the McDonald’s and ordered french fries. In “Last Home,” the cold, empty fry box was displayed like a historical artifact.

“I think it’s like an access point,” Alper said. “I started using those objects so that others could understand the mixed emotions I was feeling. It’s not just McDonald’s, it’s a symbol for this place that means a lot.

And it’s not just about my grandmother.

This is a place that so many people had to leave from, and now there’s this huge chain built on top of it.”

Alper’s visit to Berlin helped her reflect on the effects of the Holocaust within the Jewish community. Although she had visited the country on a backpacking trip when she was younger, she said visiting the sites of her family’s history taught her more about the traumatic memories shared by her ancestors.

“I tried to make ‘Last Home’ something that didn’t just spoon-feed information.

If you really wanted to understand, you’d have to walk around, think and look at the plaques,” Alper said. “It was more of a connect-the-dots, so that even if your family didn’t have ties to the Holocaust you could relate to it in some way.”

One image in “Last Home” is of Alper and her grandmother. It’s an intimate portrayal of their relationship, produced with a medium-format Hasselblad camera. In the shot, Alper is resting her head on her grandmother’s lap. They are relaxing in her grandmother’s sunny apartment.

“I get a very specific feeling when I want

to be photographing something,” Alper said. “I saw the light streaming in through the window and I had this instinctual urge to capture the moment. My grandma has Parkinson’s disease, so she had to be sitting down. And we weren’t posing, we were just sitting with each other, so it didn’t take hours of planning.”

When she returned from Germany, Alper shared the images she captured with her grandmother. Because she fled the country as a child, Alper’s grandmother was able to see the landscape for the first time in decades. Alper said her grandmother was shocked but glad to see her story preserved.

“I think there’s a fear that people will start forgetting about the Holocaust, since many survivors are starting to die,” Alper said. “So it’s important to capture these stories before they’re gone.”

Left: Seniors Bella Jenkins and Isabel Griffin flip through pictures in Marissa Alper’s “Last Home” exhibit. Above right: Alper poses in front of an intimate portrait of her and her grandmother. Below right: This piece represents Alper’s great-great grandparent’s last home in Berlin, Germany. Photos by Raelyn Fines

Wed. November 14, 2018 13

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

WED. 11/14 Wellness and Art Pop Up: An herbalist-inspired #shopsmall event

Laura’s Botanicals, which specializes in herbal remedies using local and certified organic resources, is sponsoring an herbalist pop-up. Several local and regional companies and shops will sell materials and provide information on their unique natural products.

9 a.m.–3 p.m., The Broken Tulip (3129 W. Cary St.)

Do something

FRI. 11/16 Science After Dark: Playdough Night

Christopher Irving was an art student at VCU in the ‘90s and has since interviewed prominent comic book artists and writers, including Stan Lee. Photo by Erin Edgerton

“Star Wars” professor brings comics experience to students ANDREW RINGLE Contributing Writer Christopher Irving says he took a “long, winding road” to end up where he is today. That road brought him to an interview with Stan Lee, four book publications and a plethora of odd jobs.

Today, he teaches a class at VCU on “Star Wars,” in Franklin Terrace, the same building where he attended studio classes more than 20 years ago.

Irving is teaching his “Star Wars” class with the help of VCU Communication Arts chair TyRuben Ellingson. Ellingson worked with Lucasfilm producing special effects for “Star Wars Episode IV — A New Hope.”

The class examines the influences which led George Lucas to create the film, along with the media that resulted from its massive success, such as the “Star Wars” radio series from the 1980s.

“By the time the students leave, they’ll have their own opinions on George Lucas, for better or for worse. It’ll hopefully give them a better appreciation for what type of director he is in comparison to the type of director he began as,” Irving said.

Next semester, Irving will teach class on the science fiction film genre in which students will watch “A Trip to the Moon,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Avatar” and “Terminator 2: Judgement Day.” The class will explore the roots of the genre and the way science fiction films reflect social themes throughout history.

“I am super grateful,” Irving said. “Everyday I get to go into the classroom, and it’s a gift. Teaching my students everyday, I almost feel like I’m the one who’s getting more of an education.”

Irving attended VCU from 1995 until 1999. In 1997, Irving was Spectrum editor for the Commonwealth Times. He wrote comic book reviews and once interviewed the author of the DC miniseries “Kingdom Come,” Mark Wade. After graduating with a bachelor’s in fine arts in art education, he started writing for various comic-based publications, including “Comic Buyer’s Guide,” “Comic Book Marketplace” and “Alter Ego.” “Nowadays, anyone starts a blog and they’re like, ‘now I’m a comics journalist,’” Irving said. “But back then, I was on the tailend of feeling like I really had to prove my-

Learn how to make your own playdough Science Museum of Virginia for hands-on activities with 400 pounds of playdough..

There will be Cosmic Exhibition shows at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., and a showing of “Guardians of the Galaxy” at 8 p.m.

The Richmond Astronomical Society will also be stargazing with telescopes on the front lawn. Admission is $10 for the general public and free for museum members and college students with a valid student ID. 5–8 p.m., Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St.)

FRI. 11/16 – SAT. 11/17 InLight Richmond 2018

This is a public exhibition of light-based art featuring performances, sculpture, video and interactive projects illuminating the outside of the VMFA. This year’s focus is on community and the idea of “ONE Richmond.”

Fri. 7 p.m.–midnight, Sat. 7–10 p.m., Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Boulevard)

Learn something

WED. 11/14 Making Fairyland in Twentieth Century Miami: Gender, Sexual andLETTER Racial Transgressions TO THE EDITOR

Irving’s class examines the influences that led George Lucas to create “Star Wars” and allows the students to form their own opinions on the famous director. Photo by Erin Edgerton

self. I wanted that gold star from an editor that showed me they liked what I was doing.”

In his 20s, he sought out other jobs to help pay his bills and try new things.

In doing so, Irving acquired a variety of unique experiences.

For one year, Irving taught English at his former high school as a long-term substitute. Then Irving applied to be an art teacher at a nearby elementary school. He says he enjoyed these experiences, but that he still wished to pursue comic book journalism.

He left elementary art to work a variety of odd jobs, including at a pen store where he discovered his love for fountain pens — he has used them ever since.

After that, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and published his first two novels, including his first comic history book “The Blue Beetle Companion.” After returning to Richmond and working for two years as a copywriter at Circuit City, Irving left for New York. There, with partner and photographer Seth Kushner, Irving launched “Graphic NYC,” a website based on the history of comic books.

At “Graphic NYC,” Irving interviewed more than 70 comic book legends, including Frank Miller, “Captain America” co-creator Joe Simon, Stan Lee and Brian Michael

Bendis. Kushner photographed the subjects and Irving wrote critical essays on their lives and careers. They compiled that work into Irving’s novel, “Leaping Tall Buildings: The Origin of American Comic Books.”

As a child, Irving said he gained an interest for comics when his father gave him a copy of “The Great Comic Book Heroes”

by Jules Feiffer. Along with Kushner in New York, Irving visited Feiffer’s studio for an interview.

“It was a beautiful studio, like you’d see in movies,” Irving said. “He made me coffee and I played with his dog. I was thinking, ‘this is amazing.’ These were experiences that I couldn’t get anywhere else.”

After the book was published in 2012, Irving went to Brooklyn College for graduate school where he began to miss teaching. He returned to his alma mater to teach comic book history.

“I had several different experiences under my belt,” Irving said. “I think they informed me in ways that someone with just one career would not have had. I’ve published books, I’ve edited books and I’ve even sold fountain pens. So when I came to teach in a classroom at VCU, it all finally made sense to me. All those experiences informed my teaching.”

This is a talk by Julia Capó Jr., associate professor of history at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as part of the ongoing speaker series “Gender TRANSgressions, Past and Present.”

Capó’s book explores Miami’s queer past from 1896 through 1940 and how “gender and sexual renegades made the city their own.”

4–5:30 p.m., VCU Globe (830 W. Grace St.)

THURS. 11/15 Covering the Opioid Epidemic in Virginia Seminar

Join the Virginia Pro and VCU chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists in a facilitated Q&A regarding the opioid epidemic in Virginia. This is designed for working and student journalist who wish to deepen their understanding of the crisis in order to efficiently cover the issue. Speakers will include top state regulators and content experts.

6–9 p.m., Edward T. Temple Building room 1165 (901 W. Main St.)

SAT. 11/17 The State of Criminal Justice Reform in Virginia 2018

Join the Virginia State Conference, NAACP Criminal Justice Committee, Virginia Civic Engagement Table, NOVA Coalition and ACLU VA for a conference regarding the state of criminal justice reform in Virginia. The event is free and includes panel discussions, speakers and group work.

7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd St.)

14 The Commonwealth Times

Left: Black Art Student Empowerment is a student organization that aims to promote Black artists and enrich creatives in the community. Right: “The You are Special Project” by D’Anna Johnson features black models with different skill levels being vulnerable in front of the camera. Photos by Raelyn Fines

Student exhibition showcases black and brown experience KATIE BASHISTA Spectrum Editor

of the artists paid a fee to display their art.

Exhibits included videos, photographs and mixed-media displays.

Black Art Student Empowerment at Daniel Diasgranados showed a piece VCU, also known as BASE, held its fourth called “lazer fade” — part of a larger photo annual showcase Friday at the Anderson series called “Voyager.” gallery with the theme of Afro-Futurism “It’s a mixed-media photography, design through Artistic Eyes. and video piece that contemplates growing BASE aims to promote creativity and up, being black and brown in the DMV,” advance awareness of black artistic ability. Diasgranados said.

Corey Lightner, the organization’s president, Diasgranados uses scientific language, describes it as a community where people fantasy and fiction in his work and merges work together to make bigger and better art. his early practices with his new projects. He “As long as you have a creative mind and has experience in album art and art direcyou want to inspire people and you want tion, working for XO Records, and he takes to make stuff, come on in. That’s what we the visual language from his designs and want,” he said. “That’s what BASE is all applies it to his photography. about, you don’t have to be an artist just to “[Lazer fade] is basically a photograph make creative things.” that operates like a still image … almost The majority of participants in this year’s like storyboarding,” he said. “So you’re bashowcase are BASE members, and some sically seeing a scene from a thought form,

a combination from experiences my friends and I have, normal mundane experiences like getting your haircut. And then I combine those experiences with science fiction language or surrealist language.”

Photography and film major D’Anna Johnson based her work, “The You are Special Project” on a children’s book by the same name, which centers around the idea of embracing one’s uniqueness.

“It’s a portrait project [featuring] a collection of black models of all different skills and comfortability in front of the camera,” she said. “When I was shooting these men, I wanted it to be open and vulnerable and give them their freedom to express themselves in a way in front of the camera that shows who they truly are.”

VCU student Chris Stapleton revealed an intimate part of his life in his piece “Semicolon.” Stapleton’s piece was an ex-

act replica of his room from 2012 to 2014, when he suffered from depression.

“Music got me out of it, so essentially that’s pretty much my whole take on what depression really feels like deep down inside the worries, the messiness, the disorientation. All that is pretty much what I felt,” he said. “And I feel like a lot of people feel that, so I kind of wanted to give artwork that people can really relate to and not feel like they’re all alone with it.”

Stapleton said BASE is all about empowering black artists and giving black students a voice. He said the artists involved are talented and use art as a vehicle to express their struggles, giving people something to relate to.

“What I want people to really take away from this is to just kind of relate as best as you can. Open up,” Stapleton said. “Avoid all the [categories] like black, white, and just really embrace art and see what you feel.”

LANDON’S OUTLOOK

“The Grinch” fails to live up to meaner, greener previous adaptations

seems to be a cheap laugh. He disappears as soon as he enters the story, making the audience question the point of his introduction.

The characterization of Whoville and the world itself feels empty and boring. The surreal illustrations in the Dr. Seuss original are watered down in this version and it takes away the whimsical feel of the town itself.

The only whimsy found throughout the LANDON ROBERTS film is with some of the voice performancContributing Writer es. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Grinch may not be completely sinister, but he brings Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” is a story of heart, a wheezing voice to the character that fits forgiveness and unity. However, the 2018 well with the animation adaptation on the holiday story abandons Kenan Thompson seems like he is havthese themes and, instead, leaves an empty ing the most fun as Mr. Bricklebaum, an shell of immature jokes and half-baked atespecially joyous member of Whoville. The Illustration by Kayleigh Conroy tempts at emotion. energy he brings to the voice is contagious The plot of the story recounts the Even characters like Cindy Lou Who, most all of their interactions are adorable and it’s hard not to smile when he speaks Grinch’s typical attempts to ruin Christmas who tends to be the heart of previous ad- and provide for the most laughs. Howev- about his love for the holiday season. for the village of Whoville. aptations, are subject to these side stories er, this relationship contradicts the idea of While these voice performances added While this iteration of the classic tale that lead to nothing. If more time was the Grinch being sinister and heartless. So some sort of energy to the film, the boring follows this plotline, there are too many spent establishing her friendship with the when his heart grows three times its size, filler sequences made up of joyless action useless filler scenarios that don’t drive the Grinch, the ending’s payoff might have felt the change isn’t noticeable. are a husk of the classic story. Without the story forward. Many of these scenarios are more earned.

The relationship between Max and the heart or surreal nature of Dr. Seuss’ origibeautifully animated, but it never distracts The one satisfying relationship is that Grinch is derailed with the introduction of nal, the audience is left with a drag of an from the mindless actions. between the Grinch and his dog, Max. Al- a reindeer character, whose only purpose experience.

Wed. November 14, 2018 15

Plastic Nancy, doe deer and Toward Space give powerful performances at the Plastic Palace ALEX BIRCH Contributing Writer

iconic ‘60s musicians, such as The Beatles, Neil Young and Grateful Dead, which Doe deer, Plastic Nancy led to their peculiar name. and Toward Space played “ T h e re ’s t h i s b a n d a house show in a small, from the ‘60s — kind of crowded Oregon Hill a folk-psychedelic band apartment called Plastic called Love,” Schneider said.

Palace Nov. 9.

“On their most famous reDoe deer is a four-piece cord, they had a song lyric band based out of Frederthat went ‘Plastic Nancy, icksburg, Virginia, comshe’s so fancy.’ And I felt posed of Nabeel Mirza on that captured the influence vocals and guitar, guitarist of that era in our music.”

Matt Leibowitz, Paul King Plastic Nancy ’s peron bass and drummer Forformance lived up to their rest Fallon. They describe influences with a wall of their sound as somewhere skull-crushing sound. The between jangly surf pop band even played some new and lo-fi. material for the first time.

Most of the inspiration Fredericksburg-based band, doe deer, consists of four members, three of which attend the University of Mary Doe deer followed with a for their music comes from Washington. Photo by Alex Birch stellar performance comunderground indie bands bining tight playing with and much of their sound can be attributed “We opened for a solo act. I guess they Fredericksburg over the weekend.” rock ‘n’ roll showmanship. A highlight of to the lead singer’s vocal style. didn’t realize how loud we were,” Mirza said.

The four-piece wants to go on a U.S. tour their set was Mirza leaning backward into “Some Teen Suicide, maybe some Quar- “We also almost sold out a DC9 [Night- with Plastic Nancy, another band that per- the frenzied crowd, relying on their support terbacks,” King said. “We just try to match club] show opening for Slaughter Beach. formed at the Plastic Palace — and also, the as he blazed through a crunching riff on Nabeel’s energy.”

It’s been interesting.” owners of the house. guitar. The last act, Toward Space, was just With the exception of Fallon, the band Doe deer has never played a show in Local four-piece band Plastic Nancy is as lightning-packed. is still in college — Leibowitz, King and Fredericksburg — and does not expect to comprised of lead vocalist and guitar player Doe deer is in the process of re-recordMirza are finishing up their senior years at in the future. They have performed in Rich- Sam Schneider, drummer Brian Albertson, ing old material and hope to release an alUniversity of Mary Washington, where they mond a few times, but a majority of their guitarist John DeGarmo and bassist Mike bum with new songs by New Year’s. Plasall originally met. While they were friends performances are in D.C. Reyes. They define their sound as their own tic Nancy also plan on releasing an album for some time, doe deer’s current lineup “The Fredericksburg music scene died flavor of psychedelic rock, taking inspiration soon, but no hard date has been announced. only recently came to fruition. Their first … they got all these new noise ordinances,” from “the confusion of existence, and the Toward Space released an album in Seplive performance was at the Songbyrd Mu- Leibowitz said. “So no house shows, and profound disorientation that comes from tember, which is available on all music sic House and Record Cafe in Washington, even the parties get shut down by 9:30 p.m. being alive,” according to DeGarmo. streaming services.

D.C. at the end of August.

So kids at UMW have no reason to stay in They also cite major influences from

VCU’s newly-established drumline seeks place in community Students have tried to start a VCU drumline for years, but their efforts never came to fruition because of a lack of proper leadership, enthusiasm and resources — that changed in 2017.

Larry Cauley — who worked with drumlines at the University of Virginia and started one with the Philadelphia Eagles — along with a group of students, decided to take another shot at starting a drumline.

By September of last year, they assembled a baseline troupe of two cymbals, six snares, three tenors and six bass players.

A year after assembling, the drumline is trying to expand its band of percussionists and solidify its position on campus as a bonafide musical ensemble.

All the band members have some level of prior experience with percussive instruments. Some of them have even played their instruments for more than a decade, including sophomore Mack Shank, the drumline’s captain.

“I started playing drums when I was 4 on a drumset, and I fell in love with the instrument,” Shank said. “My dad played drums all the time so it was in my blood I guess … it’s a really good stress reliever and it’s really good for little kids with a lot of energy.”

For two years, Shank honed his skills by participating competitively in what he described as a “military-style” summer-long program with a highly regimented drumline.

His time in high school inspired him

to take steps toward establishing a drumline at VCU. “It was a big thing for me,” Shank said.

“We got some drums, got some people and started from the ground up. We played a bunch of gigs, that’s kind of how we got on our feet.”

VCU’s pep band, The Peppas, has been around much longer, is well established and recognized and is an important part of the athletics tradition and culture at VCU. “It’s not necessarily a competition,” Shank said of the dynamic between drumline and The Peppas.

“I wouldn’t actually say we’re any different from them because a lot of the people in drumline play with The Peppas in the games, too,” said Samuel Lewis, a junior at VCU and one of the clarinet players.

“We’re more of a supporting group for them. We work hand in hand with them, and I feel like we’ve built a good relationship [with] them now.”

The drumline has already collaborated with The Peppas, playing at the last year’s Christmas parade and at the opening of the Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU earlier this year.

As the drumline goes on, the group looks to carve out a niche for itself and establish new traditions at VCU. Shank compared the group to the 2002 film “Drumline.”

“It’s really that style of playing [from ‘Drumline’] because that’s what appeals to VCU kids,” Shank said. “We don’t want to go and be too serious about it. We want to have fun and we want to put on a show for people.”

VCU’s drumline was established in 2017 with the help of Larry Cauley, an experienced instructor who started a drumline with the Philadelphia Eagles. Photo by Michel Maulding ADVERTISEMENT

VIEW NEXT YEAR’S

POSSIBILITIES ADVERTISEMENT

WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU Contributing Writer

VISIT HOUSING.VCU.EDU TO TAKE THE HOUSING VIRTUAL TOUR The Housing Application opens Jan. 18—Feb. 8.

16 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“I’ve been the luckiest man in the world because I’ve had friends, and to have the right friends is everything: people you can depend on, people who tell you the truth if you ask something.” — Stan Lee

Respecting all identities: LGB don’t forget the T BRIANNA SCOTT Staff Writer In October, the Trump administration’s plans to crack down on transgender rights and policies were leaked to the public. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to redefine gender as strictly biological, which would roll back the definition of gender as an individual’s decision, removing civil rights granted to transgender people under the Obama administration.

Furthermore, the Trump administration wants to remove “gender” from UN human rights documents, and the Department of Justice is trying to declare that businesses are allowed to discriminate against transgender people — because transgender doesn’t adhere to the standards set under “sex.”

None of this is necessarily shocking, since after President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were sworn into office, all mentions of LGBTQ issues were removed from the White House website.

Trump and Pence never had the interests of LGBTQ people in mind, even if Trump keeps saying his decisions are the best for everyone.

The administration wants gender to be defined so it is “biological, grounded in science and administrable.”

But gender isn’t something that can be controlled by outside forces. Without jumping too far down the rabbit hole, gender and sex are two different things.

Gender is fluid and based on spectrum.

It’s how a person identifies and has noth-

Illustration by Lindsay Hart

ing to do with your genitals. Even so, the administration trying to define gender in a binary, narrow way would exclude intersex people who don’t have reproductive or sexual anatomy that fits into the traditional definitions of female or male.

Plans to redefine gender as strictly biological and “grounded in science,” would invalidate and endanger nearly 1.4 million Americans who identify as transgender.

Transphobia and anxiety around trans folks stems back decades and decades.

Trans men and women led the fight in the LGBTQ liberation movement, spurred by the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

People don’t like what they can’t understand and when people can’t get outside of

their binary box, they oppress those who are simply trying to live their truth.

Of more than 6,000 hate crimes reported to the FBI in 2016 — a five percent increase from the previous year — more than 1,000 were based on sexual orientation bias, and 124 were based on gender identity bias.

During this “Trump” era, the president has emboldened people who already embraced transphobic and homophobic ideals. His future plans pertaining to trans people will only further that hate. Trump wants to make it illegal and almost forbidden to identify outside the binary, and he’s trying to make it legal for people to discriminate against them.

It’s a scary time to be trans right now — but when hasn’t it been?

We often forget trans people in the queer community because marriage equality has been achieved — but hate crimes and discrimination against gay couples didn’t cease when they were able to marry. The struggle to achieve freedom in the queer community is an ongoing fight.

I’m calling on the LGBTQ community and cisgender people to embolden trans voices during this time and use any privilege you have to protect them. As a black, cisgender queer woman, I still have a lot of privilege because I’ll never know what it’s like to be trans.

I’ll never know what it’s like to fear coming out as trans to a partner because they may kill me.

I’ll never know what it’s like to figure out which bathroom I should use for my own safety and comfort.

I’ll never know what it’s like for people to misgender me and invalidate my gender and call me an “it.”

A lot of us will never know this and we have to be mindful of our cis privilege during these times and how we can leverage that to uplift trans folks without speaking over them or for them.

I’m not sure what will happen under the Trump administration to trans folks, but I do know that I have to ask myself what I am I willing to do to protect them and stand in solidarity with them.

Because we cannot be truly free from the chains of oppression until everyone is free.

VCU dining fails to accomodate student diversity ORIZO HAJIGURBAN Contributing Writer

I have many friends that only eat zabiha food, yet they eat Chick-fil-A in the University Student Commons because VCU takes great pride in the diversity of the chicken is kosher. The lack of zabiits student body. But when it comes to food, ha options on campus causes students to it does not accommodate that diversity. make a decision — either change how A lot of people are familiar with the they observe their religion or struggle to term halal, but many people don’t know find food that accommodates it. what that term actually means — haAlthough we may have some zabiha lal meat encompasses kosher and zabiha. and kosher options nearby, the same inHere’s a little crash course: halal, literally cessant menu becomes mundane. Some of meaning “permissible,” is when the animal the most well-known restaurants on and is raised and slaughtered in a humane way. around campus with kosher and zabiIn both zabiha and kosher preparation, ha options are Chick-fil-A and CAVA’s blood should be completely drained from lamb. On the flip side, non-halal options an animal because of the toxins, germs are abundant and don’t cost extra (unlike and bacteria in the blood. The two types the lamb at CAVA). The lack of available of meat are prepared exactly the same, ex- and affordable variety often forces Muscept with zabiha, a prayer is said in Arabic lim students to seek meal options outside before the animal is killed. And for kosher, of the university’s dining plan. the meat must be slaughtered by a ritual There are many ways for VCU Dining slaughterer, according to the laws of the Services to provide more inclusive dining Torah. Typically, Muslims make a personal options on campus; a great starting point choice of the type of food they wish to eat; would be Shafer Dining Hall. Every year, some eat food that is only zabiha, others we get new food options. Maybe instead eat anything that falls under the all-en- of the new smoothie bar, Shake Smart, compassing label. students could benefit more from a Halal Many Muslims I know consider zabiha Guys — the fast-casual chain based off the and kosher interchangeable, so they do well-loved New York food cart. Zabiha and not limit themselves to eating only zabiha kosher grab-and-go options in the Commeat. But other Muslims, who only eat mons would be another step in the right zabiha food, are limited when it comes direction, especially for students who just to food options on campus. For example, need a quick bite to eat between classes.

Illustration by Steck Von

Adding a few more dining options on the meal plan to accommodate for incoming students of different religions and cultures is necessary. As a freshman, starting college with a halal dietary restriction can be nerve-wracking, especially if your university, which prides itself on diversity, does not offer a wide variety of dining options.

Ultimately, everyone’s diet should be accomodated — especially if the group makes

up a large part of the student body, as well as the country. It is VCU’s responsibility to support its students’ diverse nutritional needs. Coming into a diverse university, people expect accessible nutritional freedom. With a hefty tuition bill and heavy academic load, finding a source of food that fits a prominent lifestyle should be the least of anyone’s worries.

Wed. November 14, 2018 17

Referrals: VCU counseling’s solution to long-term care MOIRA SNYDER Contributing Writer VCU is home to more than 30,000 students — each of whom have their own personal struggles and strifes. It is the job of University Counseling Services to address those struggles, but that is not always the case.

Through individual and group therapy sessions, UCS attempts to handle the university’s large population of individual needs, but students are often referred to practitioners off campus. Although the office has some programs and treatment efforts in place to support students the department is not large enough to properly support a student body of VCU’s size and diversity.

Referrals to offcampus services are impractical and expensive for students who cannot properly afford them if they do not have health insurance.”

Illustration by Summer McClure

surance that covers mental health care.

When students go in for a first appointment at UCS, they are asked a list of questions about their safety and the safety of others, as well as why they are seeking counseling. At the very end of the questionnaire, students are asked about health insurance.

Moira Snyder, The last question is to make sure that contributing writer one of the therapists on UCS’ referral list is covered by the student’s healthcare provider.

If the physician working with a student If a university therapist sees fit, they may thinks the work of practitioners outside refer students to an outside practitioner if the university is necessary, the student is the student needs more long-term treatment evaluated and then often referred elsewhere. than UCS can offer. However, this decision The problem with students being referred to is completely left to the student’s therapist. off-campus therapists is these services cost Referrals to off-campus services are money and require students have health in- impractical and expensive for students

who cannot properly afford them if they do not have health insurance. It discourages students from going to UCS for support, making the students’ struggles more difficult.

The reason behind UCS’ inability to continue treatment is due to a lack of clinicians to support the large student population. UCS should offer long-term treatment services for all students on campus because students pay tuition, as well as for housing and books, among other fees — all fees that support living a sustainable life at VCU for a majority of the year. Because of all the fees students pay, the university should provide long-term care, not refer students to

practitioners where they will have to cover additional costs for treatment and care.

Students’ mental health is important and should be considered when being seen and before being referred to outside, off-campus services.

For students who do struggle with mental health and find themselves without a regular physician to turn to, the VCU Police crisis hotline is (804) 8281234 and licensed therapist is available 24/7 for students in need. The number for the national suicide hotline is 1-800237-TALK (8255).

An Ode to Self Care

Recommended listening while reading:

“THANK U, NEXT” Ariana Grande

SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist How do you become hard to get? Do you just have to be an amazing, cool person and choosy about who you date?

I don’t think having standards — to a degree — has ever hurt anyone, but there is such a thing as being too choosy.

Moreover, I am having difficulty trying to decipher why you would want to play hard to get. Wouldn’t it be much easier

to tell who you’re attracted to that you’re for more than I’m willing to give. Is the attracted to them? Playing hard to get problem really me here? only works if you don’t have to ask how to do it, in my humble opinion. You’re Girl, I love how you bought this. NO! not the main bill in a rom com, cut it You probably needed to hear it from an out. Playing hard to get is extremely external force, but the same thing your overrated. Try being vulnerable instead. best friend, cousin, mom, and guidance counselor probably told you is true: the How does one navigate running into an problem isn’t you, it’s him! First of all, ex who clearly has feelings for you but he is not there for you emotionally; he you’ve moved on (either in your mind or is tolerating you so he can emotionally heart or both)? blackmail you for sex later. He sounds like a petulant, fedora-clad manchild Hmmm, this can be tough depending that is probably posting on a “Not All on how amicable things were when it Men” subreddit as we speak. Do yourended between you two. Usually, I like self a big favor and remove him from to contend that when a relationship is your life. No one needs that kind of over, you no longer owe that person a vindictive manipulation and toxicity in damn thing. Believe me, this is eas- their life. ier said than done. (I’m the queen of replying to texts I know damn well I I recently met someone who I feel I shouldn’t give the time of day.) Ulti- connect with on a deep personal level mately, that person’s feelings are just and share oddly similar life goals and that. It does not fall on you to navigate views with, and as a result would like those feelings or even explain them. to ask out. The problem is, I don’t think That’s for them to navigate, and you she would ever feel the same and even should not be held back in any way be- if she did, we are both at a bad time cause of it. in our lives to date with traveling and post-grad plans interfering with any My boyfriend makes me feel that I owe dating. Should I risk ruining our possihim sexual favors in return for how ble best-friendship by asking her out or much he’s been there for me emotional- just be content with being single and ly. When I don’t comply with everything developing a close friendship? he requests, I’m told that I’m asking

Honestly, no one will ever know until you try. If you guys are as close friends as you say, this will be but a bump in the road that you guys will laugh about later. On the other hand, maybe she’s feeling the same way and she’s just as afraid — if not more so — than you and now you guys are stuck in this limbo of “will they or won’t they.” It’s probably killing you both but you’re both too oblivious to see it.

Illustration by Alex Hwee

18 The Commonwealth Times

Mindfulness: a simple solution to complex problems

MARGARETTA SACKOR Contributing Writer

Practicing mindfulness has become more popular in recent years.

Mindfulness is the idea of being present wherever you are. It’s keeping a calm mind and not overreacting to situations around you which might cause stress. It’s being internally calm and allowing that to reflect on the outside.

While being mindful includes the basic practice of meditation, some people don’t really understand what it fully encompasses. Mindfulness can help ease anxiety, lower stress levels and mitigate depression; it amazes me that people don’t practice it more often. Doctors don’t teach mindfulness because it isn’t something pharmaceutical companies can sell — but in my opinion, it is the best medicine around for mental health issues.

I struggle with severe depression that keeps me down for months at a time and sometimes, it feels almost impossible to get back on my feet. By practicing mindfulness, I get through my depression without losing my sanity. It helps me focus on what’s really important, instead of stressing over things I can’t control. But during an anxiety attack, it takes a little extra time to get there.

My anxiety attacks make me feel like I can’t breathe and I’m about to pass out. My heart speeds up and it feels like I’m losing control. My breathing accelerates even as I try to control and level it. Sometimes, the only thing that works is mindfulness; medical practitioners should take that into account when addressing mental health.

When I practice mindfulness, it doesn’t require too much. But regardless of how far you immerse yourself in it, you have to be dedicated in order for mindfulness to work.

My mindfulness consists of simple breathing exercises that I typically do a few times a day. At the end of the night, I

Last year, I worked a teaching assistant for a professor who started each class with short-guided mindful meditation. Afterwards, some students reported feeling better and thought it was beneficial.

These couple of minutes gave the students time to put all their problems to the side instead of focusing on them during class. If more professors implemented similar mindful tactics, it could help students succeed academically.

There are several studies that prove mindfulness reduces stress levels and mitigates anxiety, but somehow, it isn’t the first choice in the medical field. I, for one, don’t take anxiety medication — because I’m privileged to not have severe anxiety.

Illustration by Julia Gilbert

sometimes do mindful yoga — which focuses on breathing and centering yourself — and meditate before going to bed. Meditation further helps me remain present and clears my head of a stressful day.

Mindfulness can be as simple as going for a walk and, instead of focusing on your problems, focus on the sounds around you; the wind hitting your face; the smells in the air. Simply taking a walk gives you a chance to focus on something other than your problems — and keeps you from making any impulsive decisions.

Even journaling can be a form of mindfulness, because it allows you to focus on one thing at a time. You can put

your thoughts on a page, clear your mind and think freely. One thing that makes the mindful experience even better is getting away from technology. Turning your phone off for a while can be refreshing, because you won’t be tied to the social media world. The need to know everything going on outside of your own life is simply a distraction that technology fuels.

When you focus on your phone instead of tackling your problems, it only delays the solution.

Now while this won’t magically make all your problems disappear, it will help you feel more confident facing those problems with a clear mindset.

Doctors don’t teach mindfulness because it isn’t something pharmaceutical companies can sell — but in my opinoin, it is the best medicine around for mental health issues. ” Margaretta Sackor, contributing writer But mindfulness is another option to helping anxiety, depression and stress rather than taking pills that suppress your emotions and turn you into a walking zombie. Even people who do not have mental health issues can benefit from mindful practices and the weight it can take off your shoulders.

Gaining independence and realizing fear MARLON MCKAY Contributing Writer

Illustration by Steck Von

With how many social advancements the U.S. has made from desegregation in the 1950s to the election of our first black president in 2008, it’s disappointing how much progress is still needed for everyone to feel equal.

Before, it was easy to ignore these

problems, consider them one-off situations that you don’t have to worry about ever happening to you. I used to think like that, and sometimes I still do — most of the time I tend to see the world through rose-colored glasses.

I wouldn’t say I ignore harsh news stories; I’ve just been lucky enough to not experience racism first-hand, so I never really considered how deeply it affected me or my community.

What began to change my naiveté was a combination of the increased reporting on police brutality against African-Americans and the independence college gave me. I wasn’t under my mother’s watchful eye anymore and I quickly realized what it meant to be a black man in America. I had to take care of myself; and that meant taking into account the world around me.

My behavior began to change.

When I went out at night I started to think twice before wearing a hoodie.

I made excuses to call my mother whenever I was walking just to feel like I’m not walking alone. I can’t help but feel like there’s always a

chance that I might be attacked — or worse, shot — by somebody because of the color of my skin.

I can’t help but feel like there’s always a chance that I might be attacked, or worse, shot by somebody because of the color of my skin. ” Marlon McKay, contributing writer It’s gotten to the point that I’m not even that shocked anymore when I see a new headline about a racist or otherwise prejudiced crime, such as the recent shootings in Kentucky and Pittsburgh.

People often say, “I thought we were past this,” whenever this type of

news breaks. The truth is, we aren’t.

Recent events are just a reminder about how far we are from really getting past these issues that are rooted so deep in our country’s culture.

Even here at VCU — where I’ve come to feel safe and welcomed in a diverse campus setting — there still exists racism, including the recent allegations against a professor for calling security on a black colleague in the art school. Even though it wasn’t in my department, it took away some of the security I felt when on campus.

Now there’s this added chance above my head of being persecuted while waiting for a class or simply walking across campus.

Any sense of security I had is quickly fleeting away. As people protest the presence of Confederate flags and statues because of links to slavery, white supremacists are trying to gain power. If you aren’t a white “American” there are no safe places to turn.

Wed. November 14, 2018 19 THE CT STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR Zach Joachim joachimz@commonwealthtimes.org MANAGING EDITOR Georgia Geen geengr@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Nia Tariq news@commonwealthtimes.org

When the bread gets you by Georgia Geen

SPORTS EDITOR Jessica Wetzler sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Katie Bashista spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Caitlin Barbieri opinions@commonwealthtimes.org COPY EDITOR Saffeya Ahmed ahmeds@commonwealthtimes.org MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Erin Edgerton photography@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Steck Von illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org ONLINE EDITOR Kayleigh Fitzpatrick fitzpatrickk@commonwealthtimes.org

Playlist by Madeline De-Michele

SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR Fadel Allassan allassanfg@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Logan Reardon, News reardonlj@vcu.edu Adam Cheek, Sports cheekan@vcu.edu Noah Fleischman, Sports nrfleischman@gmail.com Sam Goodrich, Spectrum goodrichs@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF COLUMNISTS Shaun Jackson, Opinions jacksonsk@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Shayla Bailey baileysl4@vcu.edu STAFF ILLUSTRATORS Summer McClure mccluresl@vcu.edu Sammy Newman ymmas97@gmail.com

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ryan Rich Mai-Phuong Bui Jeffrey Pohanka Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Gabbi Bernardo Dana Cantor Miles S. Hicks advertising@vcustudentmedia.com (804) 828-6629 WEBMASTER Chrislin Hearn webmaster@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Caroline Banchoff distribution@vcustudentmedia.com DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975 CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Jacob McFadden mcfaddenjc@vcu.edu ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Andrew Salsbury smc_assistant@vcustudentmedia.com

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Caitlin Barbieri, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times.

Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff.

The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor.

Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

20 The Commonwealth Times

For answers to this week’s puzzles, check commonwealthtimes.org/puzzles every Friday at Noon.

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle HUNGER GAMES

Sponsored by

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

By Patti Varol

73 Cherry-topped dish 4 North Carolina 70 Outcome ACROSS team 76 Venerable English 71 Breakfast-on-the1 Comfy cover-up 5 Unlike this ans. school run pickup 7 Didn’t toss 6 One who picks up 72 Really feel the 77 Dinghy need 11 Elemental variant

By Patti Varol a lot 78 “Thor: Ragnarok” heat 18 Loosen, in a way 7 Mexican painter actor Idris 73 Pulitzer-winning 19 “Spare me your Frida 82 Live, TV-wise 4 North Carolina Ferber novel excuses” 73 Cherry-topped dish 70 Outcome ACROSS 8 Night before 71 Breakfast-on-the 83 Bouquet bearer team 74 Work together 21 cover-up Spot for doodles 76 Venerable English 1 Comfy 9 Chapel bench 85 Mariano Rivera, 75 Present at birth 22 Land at Mexico school 5 Unlike this ans. run pickup 7 Didn’t toss 10 Champ’s collection memorably 6 One who picks up 79 Actress Petty of City Airport? 77 Dinghy need 72 Really feel the 11 Elemental variant 11 Trains 88 Alley in comics 23 A hungry actor a lot 78 “Thor: Ragnarok” heat “Orange Is the 18 Loosen, in a way 12 A behavioral sci.

89 A hungry janitor New Black” might __ 7 Mexican painter actor Idris 73 Pulitzer-winning 19 “Spare me your 13 Ferrell’s “SNL” Ferber novel might __ 80 Tusked critter 25 Poison sumac Frida 82 Live, TV-wise excuses” cheerleading 74 Work together 92 Shade 81 Cal. entry exposure risk 83 Bouquet bearer 8 Night before 21 Spot for doodles 93 Curved plumbing 83 Naysayer’s 26 Nonstick cookware partner 9 Chapel bench 85 Mariano Rivera, 75 Present at birth 22 Land at Mexico piece weapon? brand 14 Guiding principles 10 Champ’s collection memorably 79 Actress Petty of City Airport?

95 Call __ day 11 Trains 84 Highly skilled in 28 “It matters how you 15 Willing to listen “Orange Is the 88 Alley in comics 23 A hungry actor 96 Monopoly buy 12 A behavioral sci.

86 Often-seared tuna 16 Auto store buy New Black” might __get there” app 89 A hungry janitor 97 Somber notice 13 Ferrell’s “SNL” 87 English Derby 29 Dollars for quartersmight __ 17 “Grand” ice cream 80 Tusked critter 25 Poison sumac 99 CafePress town 30 A hungry film critic brand 92 Shade 81 Cal. entry exposure risk cheerleading purchase 90 Last element in might __ 19 Ponzi scheme, e.g.

93 Curved plumbing 83 Naysayer’s 26 Nonstick cookware partner 100 Comes together Pandora’s box 34 Compote 20 Psalm pronoun weapon? piece brand 14 Guiding principles 102 Kellogg’s toaster 91 Lawn-Boy parent component 95 Call __ day 24 Sincere attempts 84 Highly skilled in 28 “It matters how you 15 Willing to listen pastry company 36 Polish literature?

27 Oft-chewed item 96 Monopoly buy 86 Often-seared tuna get there” app 16 Auto store buy 104 Philistine 94 Menace 37 Exile 31 Defiant response 97 Somber notice 87 English Derby 29 Dollars for quarters 17 “Grand” ice cream 105 Inched 98 Texter’s “Oh, and 39 Bird feeder food 32 TiVo predecessor town 99 CafePress 30 A hungry film critic brand 107 A hungry banker another thing ... ” 43 “How you holdin’ purchase 33 Foot that’s part of 90 Last element in might __ 19 Ponzi scheme, e.g. might __ 99 Geoffrey the up?” a meter 100 Comes together Pandora’s box 34 Compote 20 Psalm pronoun 113 Point of contention Giraffe’s store 46 “No __ done” 102 Kellogg’s toaster 35 Four Corners state 91 Lawn-Boy parent component 24 Sincere attempts 116 Swearing or 27 Oft-chewed item 101 River racers 48 Subjects of the film pastry 38 City on Lake Erie company 36 Polish literature? swearing-in words 103 Stick (to) 40 WWII sub 94 Menace 37 Exile “Blackfish” 104 Philistine 31 Defiant response 118 Cookie grain 32 TiVo predecessor 104 Carlsbad Caverns 50 Music-licensing 41 Gush on stage 105 Inched 98 Texter’s “Oh, and 39 Bird feeder food 119 Mystique dweller org.

42 Wiped out 107 A hungry banker another thing ... ” 43 “How you holdin’ 33 Foot that’s part of 120 A hungry angler a meter 106 Bright again 51 Not quite right 43 Ramadan ritual might __ 99 Geoffrey the up?” might __ 108 White __ 52 Some is changed 44 Abu Dhabi 113 Point of contention Giraffe’s store 46 “No __ done” 35 Four Corners state 124 Lanai furniture 109 Party spread regularly dignitary 116 Swearing or 101 River racers 48 Subjects of the film 38 City on Lake Erie material 110 __-Grain: breakfast 53 A hungry locksmith swearing-in words 45 Name on Irish 103 Stick (to) “Blackfish” 40 WWII sub 126 “One man’s 41 Gush on stage might __ euros bar brand 118 Cookie grain 104 Carlsbad Caverns 50 Music-licensing struggle to take it 56 Pentagon address 46 Veda reader 111 Blue eyes, e.g.

119 Mystique dweller org.

42 Wiped out easy,” for “Ferris 57 Clever barb 120 A hungry angler 47 Resembling 106 Bright again 112 Baseball Hall of 51 Not quite right 43 Ramadan ritual response 49 Omega rival 108 White __ Famer Koufax might __Bueller” 52 Some is changed 44 Abu Dhabi 127 Intimidating words dignitary 60 Loch with a 124 Lanai furniture 52 Capital north of 113 Ratio phrase 109 Party spread regularly 128 Password preceder mystery Berlin 114 Adult cygnet material 110 __-Grain: breakfast 53 A hungry locksmith 45 Name on Irish 129 Poor rating 61 Seriously ticked 54 Like some bagels bar brand 115 Herb used in 126 “One man’s might __ euros 130 Actress Falco 46 Veda reader 62 Cartoon desert struggle to take it 55 Pond papa 111 Blue eyes, e.g. turkey dressing 56 Pentagon address 131 Reason island sight 58 Stopped at sea, 117 E’en if easy,” for “Ferris 112 Baseball Hall of 57 Clever barb 47 Resembling 64 Passé with “to” 121 “Based __ true Bueller” Famer Koufax response 49 Omega rival DOWN 65 Special forces 59 Chatters story” 127 Intimidating words 113 Ratio phrase 60 Loch with a 52 Capital north of 1 Measure up 63 Terrier on “Frasier” 122 Retirement spot 128 Password preceder 114 Adult cygnet mysterymission Berlin 2 Singer Baker 54 Like some bagels 67 Competed using 66 Before now 115 Herb used in 123 “Moonlight” 129 Poor rating 61 Seriously ticked 3 14-time Grammyblades 67 Fit to be tied Oscar winner 130 Actress Falco turkey dressing 62 Cartoon desert 55 Pond papa 68 A hungry librarian 69 Word before or 131 Reasonwinning banjoist 117 E’en if Mahershala __ island sight 58 Stopped at sea, Béla 1 2 3 with “to” 4 after “mother” 121 “Based __ true Level 125 Comparison words 64 Passé might __ DOWN story” 65 Special forces 59 Chatters 1 Measure up mission 63 Terrier on “Frasier” 122 Retirement spot 2 Singer Baker 123 “Moonlight” 67 Competed using 66 Before now 3 14-time GrammyOscar winner blades 67 Fit to be tied winning banjoist Mahershala __ 68 A hungry librarian 69 Word before or Béla 125 Comparison words might __ after “mother”

HUNGER GAMES

L o s A n g e l e s Ti me s Sun d a y C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

VCU Sport Clubs take on U of R in the 3rd Annual Lo Cup s A11/16-17! n g e l recsports.vcu.edu e s Ti me s Capital

Sunda y C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Hunger Games by Patti Varol

ADVERTISEMENT

Sudoku

Sudoku

By The Mepham Group

By The Mepham Group Level 1

2

3

4

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) containsSolution to Monday’s puzzle every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

11/13/18 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

ADVERTISEMENT

1

sudoku.org.uk

© 2018 The Mepham Distributedpuzzle by Solution to Group.

Monday’s Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

11/13/18

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Quickness RVA -Since 2010Order Online Now! @ quicknessrva.comSudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.

Sponsored by

© 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Celebrate Rabble’s release with the staff and contributors to Pwatem Literary & Art Journal on November 16th from 5 - 7 PM at Lift Coffee Shop on Broad. This year’s chapbook has the theme of “Autonomy.”

This event is open to the public.

pwatem.com // facebook.com/pwatem